The Benefits and Challenges of Behavioral Health Treatment

The term behavioral health was coined almost 40 years ago. However, over time, the meaning of this word has evolved. Most people use behavioral health as a synonym for mental health, while there is a difference between the two.

Mental health deals with a person’s mental state or psychology, but behavioral health deals with the habits that a person possesses, such as eating patterns, sleeping patterns, and the lifestyle choices that they make. etc. If a person struggles with a mental health problem, they can be comorbid with behavioral health problems and physical health problems. According to estimates, 70 percent of mental health problems exist in correlation with behavioral health problems. Therefore, behavioral health treatment centers or services have become essential to combat the disease.

According to one study, around 44 million people struggle with mental health-related problems each year, but only 40 percent of them can receive treatment. There are several reasons why people do not seek help for mental disorders. While 60 percent of people do not seek treatment due to the associated social stigma, others do not seek treatment because they have not been diagnosed, do not have the money, do not have access to a trusted mental health facility, or do not have credible behavioral health. centers near them.

Behavioral health services

Behavioral health services are not limited to mental health treatment programs. With its scope evolving, the range of services offered has only increased. Some of these services include:

• Psychiatric

• Psychology

• Mental health counseling

• Family and marriage counseling

• Substance abuse treatment that includes prevention, recovery, and intervention.

• Chronic disease management

Understanding Behavioral Health

Behavioral health refers to the relationship between daily habits (good and bad) and how they affect physical and mental health. Ideally, good habits – healthy eating, exercise, and sleeping patterns – lead to a balance between good physical and mental health. On the contrary, bad habits often lead to poor physical and mental health.

Depending on the lifestyle choices you make, behavioral disorders can include:

• Living in unsanitary conditions

• Eating disorder

• Social isolation

• Sleep disorder (sleeping too much or less)

• Substance abuse, including dependence on drugs, alcohol, or chemicals

• Addictive behaviors such as gambling, sex, compulsive shopping, etc.

Why is it so difficult to seek treatment?

Most people do not seek help for behavior disorders because they continue to deny it. It is difficult for them to accept that they have a problem. Some people believe that it is a choice they have made and therefore cannot be called a problem. The reasons for not seeking treatment can be myriad and varied. Some of the other reasons may include:

• Social stigma and shame

• Fear of being judged by society.

• Not being able to recognize symptoms effectively

• Lack of trust and support.

• Feelings of loneliness and hopelessness.

What are the benefits of seeking treatment?

Behavioral health disorders are complex and require personalized treatment, but it is difficult to convince patients to seek treatment. However, knowing the benefits of treatment can provide the necessary nudge to seek treatment. The advantages of seeking treatment are as follows:

• Improves quality of life

• Fight mental illness at its roots

• Improve personal and professional relationships.

• It reduces the chances of complications, especially for addiction-related problems.

• Improve productivity

• Mitigates the risk of medical problems

What are the treatment options available?

A treatment plan for behavioral health disorder can be a combination of multiple therapies, the most important of which would be group therapy. Encouragement and support groups provide personal therapy that helps the patient better understand himself and his goals. Group therapy also provides patients with contacts with other people who have or are facing similar problems. Interacting with these people helps the patient to realize that they are not alone. It also provides them with the moral support they need to care for themselves and seek and continue treatment. However, personalized treatment programs require the efforts of multiple types of professionals. These professionals may include:

Psychiatrists: These service providers can address a wide range of problems. They deal with psychiatry in various aspects, such as adolescent problems, childhood struggles or substance abuse. They prescribe medications to treat behavioral health disorders.

Psychologists: These professionals have experience in psychological consulting. This also includes clinical psychology. They perform diagnostic work and perform psychotherapy to treat the patient’s condition.

Social workers: Help through government-run programs. They work in a variety of fields related to children’s mental health, substance abuse, and mental health in the underprivileged society.

Licensed Professional Counselors: These counselors generally specialize in treating patients with psychotherapy. These professionals can focus on specific areas of behavioral health, such as family problems, substance abuse, and relationship problems.

Residential treatment centers: These are inpatient treatment centers where people can reside under medical supervision 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Patients undergo a personalized treatment plan based on the severity and duration of the disorder. These centers provide a controlled environment for treating and fighting relapse.

When to seek help?

Behavioral health disorders should never be undermined. They need to be identified as soon as possible, otherwise it will affect the relationship and productivity of the patient as he becomes an adult. Behavioral abnormalities have affected lives. There are numerous treatment programs available to treat the disorder.